What ails our country more? Overpopulation or Corruption?

This article was written by the author sometime back in the context of a growing debate on population control.

What ails our country more? Overpopulation or Corruption?

The above theme, when placed in Indian context appears to paint a picture that both are at its peak and we cannot do anything about it.

It is instead a better option to agree that we have both the problems in varying degrees but not in equally dangerous levels.

Overpopulation is basically a situation that arises when the resources are limited and the population that is to be fed is disproportionately high. So it’s a mismatch of demand and supply wherein demand for resources (at the very least, home, shelter and clothing) exceeds supply. This has vast economic and social repercussions. It ranges from struggles by families to finding adequate resources to accommodate more and more people. We often see in slums and lower income households young women (aging around 18-24) turning into mothers of 3 or more children. The reason behind this is obvious : More children can be sent to work and support the family. In this article, the author agrees that since Independence, India has seen baby-boom age where the family system could be supported despite having 3-4 children given that the commodity prices, education expenses and income were minimal. But this is not the case anymore. So yes, overpopulation is indeed a concern to look at but is it really the negative perception it is getting worth it ?

To answer this, we turn to the statistics available in the public domain. World Bank has estimated India’s population to be close to 133 Crore people i.e 1.33 billion. Our population growth rate however shows us a figure that is around 1.1% indicating that the sudden population boom in India is not as big a problem as it is being assumed to be. On the same lines even fertility rate has come down to 2.33 births per woman. In fact this gives us a reason to be positive as the situation is exactly the opposite of what it was in the 50s and the 60s. Today, price levels of commodities, education expenses and naturally the rate of inflation have shot beyond the roof, causing enough damage to the thought of having more children. To add to it, in India, the awareness among lower income households about overpopulation and burden it would put on the family, has gone up and thus making them receptive to the changes happening in the society. The ‘over’population in a way is giving the families a chance to better their economic situation by giving them jobs be it in the form of unskilled or semi skilled labour and thus creating the supply side of the economy so as to meet the demand. Therefore it takes a lesser priority as opposed to corruption which is a bigger evil.
In this context, the question that one must ask at this juncture is not how to control the ‘explosion’ of population, but how productive are we turning the existing population into? Are we providing them quality education or are we turning the young population that we possess into mere robots by making them risk averse and fearful of taking action as per their choices? While the second question that the author asks above pertao to educational system and reforms, the first one that has been raised is connected to the hydra that we should try to resolve in a ‘Herculean’ manner : corruption.

So why is corruption a bigger evil than overpopulation? For the simple reason that if one were not corrupt, the means of allocation of resources would be fair and just and reach the needy in time. To feed 1.33 billion populace isn’t an easy task but it’s possible, if the ‘babus’ and ‘netas’ didn’t pocket 85 paise out of the 1 rupee that was meant for the poorest of the poor. What else does it do? It creates a channel through which money is used for selfish aspirations and illegal and unethical activities be it drugs, liquor, tampering electoral processes, funds for attempts of disintegrating the state etc. And that’s the not it. Effects of corruption are such that they seep into every layer of society and creates a case of disorder and disregard for law. Why is no one bothered when jumping the red signal at the traffic junctions? Because of a convincing factor that he/she can be let off if they paid the ‘maamool’ or bribe to the policeman who would catch them. If that’s not street level corruption, what is? It goes all the way up to the highest level where politicians, media houses, brokers etc are all involved in serious acts of corruption. Bypassing the law to seek pecuniary benefits, terrorist funding, amassing fortunes illegally, pressing for rerouting the poor’s money to fund individual demands/ desires and trying to use ill gotten money to further fund illegal activities like crimes or to remain in power etc are some forms of corruption that have been seen at the highest level. We are a witness to scams starting from INA treasure to Haridas Mundhra Jeep Scam and to the current level where defence equipment which is crucial for national security is being bargained for more money just to fill certain lives with a dose of lifelong luxury and even worse is case where age old, ancient symbols of culture like temple idols have been stolen in Tamil Nadu to make easy illegal smuggle money! We have also seen how politicians have used black money to fund their party activities or activities that would damage India’s economic system in the long run. We have witnessed and are still witnessing the way education system is being made into a business rather than an honest way of supporting economic and social development by charging exorbitant fees, encouragement of unwanted campus activities etc. Who is bearing the brunt of such deep and entrenched corruption? It is simple. The common man who has the guts to stand in queues to purchase his ration or wait to draw his money.

This brings us to the final point that while overpopulation is a manageable case with better education, corruption isn’t so easy to resolve given man’s greed.

As I conclude, there is no quote more apt to describe the whole scene than Mohandas Gandhi’s, who had once said : “There is enough for everyone’s need but definitely there is noy enough for anyone’s greed!” .